Glaser Weil Secures Second Circuit Victory in $4.8 Billion Defamation Case

Glaser Weil is proud to announce that the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of a $4.8 billion defamation lawsuit brought by Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam against the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the Anti-Defamation League and its CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.

The appellate court upheld the lower court's decision, confirming that statements characterizing Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam as antisemitic are constitutionally protected opinions under the First Amendment and New York law.

Litigation Department Co-chair Julie Gerchik argued the appeal on behalf of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Rabbi Cooper. The litigation team included Litigation Department Chair Patricia Glaser and Associate Alaina Bird.

This significant outcome reinforces the constitutional right to call out antisemitic and hateful rhetoric and marks yet another landmark achievement in Glaser Weil’s tradition of success in high-profile litigation.

View the press release and past coverage.

Related Attorneys

  • Julie R. F. Gerchik
    Partner and Co-chair of the Litigation Department
  • Patricia L. Glaser
    Partner and Chair of the Litigation Department

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